Welcome To Solomon Islands In Focus

As a long­time friend of the Solomon Islands, let me say the aim of this website is to bring you news about the Solomon Islands, promote tourism to the "Happy Isles” and generate donations for causes in the Solomons that will provide income for charitable institutions dependent on aid and help to give much needed money for local craftsmen and women.

I would encourage you to see for yourself a most unique and different part of the world and meet friendly, hospitable people while enjoying the sheer delights and beauty of a easy accessible Pacific paradise.

Climate change is proving an existential threat and there are still countries paying lip service to the vulnerability of Pacific nations.

It is reported by Radio New Zealand today, Wednesday, thatFiji's Prime Minister has hit out at several developed countries during a speech at the UN climate summit in Madrid.

The seriousness of climate change and the impact it is having on Pacific Island countries, including the Solomon Islands, is causing more Pacific leaders to speak out and decry the abandonment of science and the lack of concern for humanity.

Quoting extracts from the Radio New Zealand news bulletin, this was said:

“Frank Bainimarama said several countries had paid lip service to the vulnerability of Pacific countries, while actively denying scientific consensus.

“In a veiled swipe at neighbour Australia and countries like the United States, Mr Bainimarama said backward steps had been taken since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.

Mr Bainimarama called for strong regulations to come from the final rules for the Paris Agreement, which negotiators are trying to settle in Madrid.

And Tonga's Prime Minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, said his country was losing the ability to cope with an increasing number of disasters in his country.

While addressing the UN climate summit, Mr Tu'i'onetoa said it was vital the Paris agreement be implemented to its strongest intent.

Mr Tu'i'onetoa said Tonga had been ranked as the world's second most-vulnerable country to disasters, and pointed to Cyclone Gita, which caused widespread damage last year.

He said climate change was threatening the environment, ocean and resources on which his people depended.

"We continue to experience record rates of coastal erosion, overflow, and flooding. These are further compounded by the rising in sea levels...

"Tropical cyclones are increasing in intensity at a rate of intensity that undermines our capacity to respond."

“Kiribati's president Taneti Maamau agreed the world was not doing enough to address climate change, which he said posed an existential threat to his country.

“Mr Maamau said the scientific evidence was undeniable, and leaders must commit to firm action.

"It is still troubling to see that regardless of the science provided, as well as the collective voice of the youth and students throughout climate strikes, and the evidence of climate impacts each respective region is noticing, we still fall short."

“Mr Maamau also called for a phasing out of coal, and strong global commitments for carbon neutrality.

“Meanwhile, a former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the G20 group of developed countries were failing to act like adults in their approaches to climate change.

“He was speaking at a side event at the UN climate talks in Madrid.

“Mr Kerry, who was a leading player in brokering the 2015 agreement, said the world's biggest polluters had done nothing since the agreement was signed.

“He said it was shameful that it was taking children marching on the streets to tell leaders about undeniable scientific evidence.

"And none of the 20 nations, that are privileged to belong to the G20 - the principal emitters of the world - 85 plus percent of all the emissions. Twenty nations and they're all going up in their emissions this year.”

Cellulitis can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it’s important to recognise the symptoms and get medical advice.

“Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that typically affects the deeper layers of your skin and the layer of fat just beneath. It's quite common, especially among middle-aged and older adults. Most often, cellulitis occurs when a crack or cut in your skin allows bacteria to get inside and multiply.”

nowing that non-communicable disease (NCD) in the Solomon Islands contributes to many local people contracting diabetes, I was alerted and concerned when I read an article by Janelle Ward writing in the newsletter ‘Your Life Choices’ in which she mentioned the painful skin infection called cellulitis, linked to diabetes.

I thought I would share the article with your readers and quote what was said:

Cellulitis is a painful skin infection that happens when bacteria enters a break in the skin. It can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it’s important to recognise the symptoms and seek medical help quickly.

Cellulitis generally looks like a red, swollen rash and most commonly occurs on the lower leg, but you can get it on other body parts. Typical symptoms, according to WebMD, are:

dull pain or tenderness

swelling

warmth

fever and chills

swollen glands and lymph nodes

painful rash that may blister and scab.

Your doctor should be able to tell if you have cellulitis just by looking at your skin. He or she might order tests for people who have underlying health problems, such as:

severe skin infection

fever or other signs of infection that has spread

poor response to the first antibiotic treatment

underlying health conditions such as cancer or diabetes

a recent animal bite.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) might be needed to ensure the condition is cellulitis and not a bone infection called osteomyelitis if you have:

immune system problems

diabetes

poor lower-leg circulation

lymphedema (chronic swelling).

Once cellulitis is confirmed, and depending on the severity, antibiotics are commonly prescribed.

But you can also do things at home to minimise discomfort. If the infection is on an arm or leg, prop that limb up above the level of your heart. This can ease swelling and help with healing. You should also keep the infected area clean and dry. It’s OK to shower. Just be sure to pat – not rub – the area dry, says WebMD.

Tell your doctor if you don’t feel better within a few days of taking antibiotics. And be sure your diagnosis is from an experienced doctor. Cellulitis can look like several other skin diseases and conditions including:

stasis dermatitis – swelling related to poor circulation, usually in the lower leg

contact dermatitis – rash caused by something that touched your skin

panniculitis – inflammation of the fat under the skin.

Cellulitis is not highly contagious, but do wash your hands regularly and don’t share personal items such as towels.

You’re more likely to get cellulitis if you:

have a condition that can cause tiny breaks in your skin, such as eczema, athlete’s foot, or shingles

live with diabetes or a weakened immune system

have chronic swelling of your arms or legs (lymphedema)

inject drugs

Early treatment generally means you’ll get better without complications, but if misdiagnosed or left too long before being treated, cellulitis can become more than skin deep and bacteria can enter your blood, a condition known as bacteremia.

“Our health and education sectors remain key areas for major infrastructure investments. What stops us from rolling out health services to all rural health facilities is simply – the lack of accommodation facilities for our health workers such as doctors and nurses as well as sub-standard facilities. And much of that is also to do with land-related issues.

“A similar picture exists in education. Major investment in staff accommodation in all our provincial health facilities and schools is the first step to improving health and education services throughout the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Government will also explore innovative sectoral investment initiatives to drive economic outcomes across a range of sectors such as, investment in renewable energy in provinces through possible construction of hydroelectric dams wherever possible.

The PM’s statements came about after he had received an official letter from Mrs Keithie Saunders, the US Consular Agent in Honiara, which had given news of Solomon Islands’ selection to participate under the MCC threshold programme.

“The (US) Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent US foreign assistance agency, which was established with broad bipartisan support in January 2004.

“The agency is designed to deliver aid differently, with a mission and model reflecting key principles of aid effectiveness.

“The MCC’s threshold programme supports targeted policy reform activities to help a country achieve compact eligibility. The threshold programme is much smaller, accounting for only five percent of MCC’s total programme spending since 2004. Countries typically complete threshold programmes in two to three years. The average cost of a programme is around $20 million. Approximately three-quarters of threshold programmes have supported anti-corruption policy reforms. Threshold programme funds have also funded activities in other policy areas, including primary education, public health (immunization), business regulatory policy, and fiscal policy.”

Mr. Hou said during his Thursday press conference the inclusion of Solomon Islands in MCC’s "Threshold programme" demonstrates the increasing attention being paid by the United States to the plight, as well as the strategic nature of the partnership with Solomon Islands.”

“It further deepens the already existing inseparable bond between our two countries, which was forged during the Second World War and beyond.

“Solomon Islands had been trying to get access to the MCC programme over the years without success. In our Pacific region, only Vanuatu had ever received an MCC funded programme,” he said.

The funding package of the Threshold Programme ranges from USD$6 million to US$55 Million usually over 4 years.

"A core element of MCC is based on “country ownership" and the programme works in partnership with eligible countries to develop and implement an aid programme on the premise that investments are more likely to be effective and sustained if they reflect the country’s own priorities and strengthen the partner government’s accountability to its citizens."

If the Solomon Islands does receive a funding package from the MCC Threshold Programme it is to be hoped the investment will deliver on the priorities as intended.